Hatboro-Horsham football preview

Friday

The skinny: The senior is fast and has greatly improved his arm strength and accuracy. He knows the new offense, he's elusive and a good runner.

RUNNING BACKS

Kingsley Nworu (5-9, 170, So.)

Zach Tuerke (5-11, 185, Jr.)

Jeff Panara (6-2, 220, Jr.)

The skinny: Nworu is fast and Tuerke is a slasher; they should split time early in the season. Panara, who had 82 carries for 305 yards last year, is a big, physical player who will contribute between the tackles.

WIDE RECEIVERS

John O'Malley (6-1, 170, Jr.)

Charlie Obrecht (5-9, 165, Jr.)

Keith Cameron (6-1, 198, Sr.)

The skinny: O'Malley returns, bringing good speed and jumping ability. Obrecht plays the slot and Cameron is a solid blocking and receiving tight end.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Brendan Mulligan (6-2, 190, Sr.)

Luke Kwon (5-10, 225, Jr.)

Phil Pagliaro (5-9, 220, So.)

John Dougherty (6-1, 210, Jr.)

Joey Pittman (6-0, 260, Sr.)

The skinny: All five have good, quick feet and the speed that should make the Hatters' outside running game a threat. Depth will be a problem.

DEFENSE & SPECIAL TEAMS

DEFENSIVE LINE

John Dougherty (6-1, 210, Jr.)

Joey Pittman (6-0, 260, Sr.)

Luke Kwon (5-10, 225, Jr.)

Luke Gehlhaus (6-0, 215, So.)

The skinny: Injuries in camp hampered the development of the unit; it's inexperienced but the players have shown improvement week-to-week.

LINEBACKERS

Brendan Mulligan (6-2, 190, Sr.)

Zach Tuerke (5-11, 185, Jr.)

Jeff Panara (6-2, 220, Jr.)

Joe Albano (5-11, 210, Jr.)

The skinny: Maybe the strongest unit on the team. All are tough, fast and strong tacklers. Albano and Panara are an imposing twosome inside.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Kingsley Nworu (5-9, 170, So.)

Colby Canselo (5-11, 155, Sr.)

John O'Malley (6-1, 170, Jr.)

Keith Cameron (6-1, 198, Sr.)

The skinny: Nworu and Canselo are speedy, good cover corners. O'Malley is an excellent safety while Cameron plays a hybrid linebacker/D-back position.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Brian Urlich (6-6, 185, Sr.)

The skinny: Urlich is the also goalie on the Hatters' soccer team; he has an extremely strong leg which should translate into excellent hang time on punts.

INSIDE THE HUDDLE

Head coach: Mike Kapusta

Head coaching experience: 1st year

Coach's record: 0-0

School's record in the last 10 years: 63-58

Last playoff appearance: 2006

Last conference title: 1999

STARTERS LOST:

OFFENSE 9

DEFENSE 10

2013 SCHEDULE

FRIDAY NORRISTOWN 7

SEPT. 6 AT POTTSTOWN 7

SEPT. 12 AT CR NORTH 7

SEPT. 20 CB SOUTH 7

SEPT. 27 AT CB EAST 7

OCT. 4 AT QUAKERTOWN 7

OCT. 11 NORTH PENN 7

OCT. 18 CB WEST 7

OCT. 25 AT SOUDERTON 7

NOV. 1 PENNRIDGE 7

NOV. 28 UPPER MORELAND 10

2012 RESULTS (1-11)

FRANKFORD 32, H-H 20

NESHAMINY 45, H-H 0

CR NORTH 37, H-H 0

CB SOUTH 49, H-H 21

CB EAST 43, H-H 29

H-H 14, QUAKERTOWN 13

NORTH PENN 34, H-H 0

CB WEST 31, H-H 14

SOUDERTON 37, H-H 7

PENNRIDGE 54, H-H 14

CHELTENHAM 55, H-H 12

UPPER MORELAND 35, H-H 7

OPPONENT'S VIEW

"With the changing of the guard at Hatboro-Horsham, there's no doubt a lot of energy flying around. With Mike Kapusta's level of enthusiasm for the team, I have no doubt his players are going to be prepared every Friday night and will give him everything they've got."

HITTING THE SLED...

HEADLINE GRABBER

One of the prime passing targets will be wide receiver John O'Malley (6-1, 170). The junior is a fast, long-strider and has the highest vertical jump on the team.

UP AND COMER

Joe Pittman (6-0, 260) is a classic example of what hard work in the offseason can do for an athlete. Scheduled to start on both sides of the ball, the senior is tough on defense, but it's on offense where his off-season workouts helped him improve tremendously.

STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

The Hatters get high marks for their attitude and determination to improve. The players learned the new offensive and defensive systems, so they came to camp ready to go. The team believes in itself and, after a 1-11 record last fall, things can only get better. The weakness is, without questions, a lack of numbers.

Bill Keen: 215-345-3185; e-mail bkeen@phillyburbs.com

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